Newcastle

We’ve had a quiet spell in terms of runners recently, but we’ve been getting plenty of graft into the horses at home.

DIAMOND MIX (4.0) is our sole runner at Newcastle on Thursday, when he has his second start over fences in the 2m handicap chase.

We’re bringing him back in trip from 2m4f on the advice of Ryan Mania, who rode him at Wetherby last time. He travelled and jumped very well there and, on that basis, Ryan thought he’d have no problems coming back to 2m.

I was happy enough with Wetherby for a first go over fences, although on reflection I’m not sure I had him quite as fit as I thought. The benefit of hindsight, eh! On the flipside, at least the handicapper has dropped him 4lb.

We’ve done a good bit of work at home with him in the 12 days since that run. He’s definitely come forward for that and soft ground down at Newcastle will be lovely for him too.

Ryan rides Valleyview Tommy for Sandy Thomson in this race, so Craig Nichol gets back on board Diamond Mix today. Craig’s ridden him before so he knows him well enough.

As Class 5 handicaps go, this looks quite competitive with two last-time-out winners in opposition, plus a couple of others who look open to improvement over fences. We’re hoping Diamond Mix is one of them!

Cheers for now,

Paul